Intel-based iMac: Available updates
Learn about available updates for your Intel-based Mac.
The tables in this article list the update or updates you should install on your Intel-based iMac computer. Under each iMac model is the list of updates that should be installed on your computer. If you are unsure if your iMac has a particular update installed, download and open the update installer. If the update is already installed, the installer will alert you to this fact.
iMac Model | Update Name | Notes |
iMac (Late 2013) | This update is recommended for iMac (Late 2013) models. It addresses an issue which may cause a black screen to appear when installing Windows 7 or Windows 8 via Boot Camp Assistant. | |
iMac (Late 2012) | This update is recommended for the iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012) computer. This update contains general performance fixes pertaining to sleep and Thunderbolt, and improves compatibility when using the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band. | |
iMac (Late 2011) | This firmware update addresses a graphics issue that may cause an iMac to stop responding under certain conditions. Requires OS X Lion. | |
iMac (Mid 2011) | This update fixes several issues to improve the stability of iMac (Early/Mid 2011) computers and is recommended for all users. | |
This update enables Lion Recovery from an Internet connection and includes updates that resolve issues with Apple Thunderbolt Display compatibility and Thunderbolt Target Disk Mode. Requires Mac OS X v10.6.8, v10.7, or later. | ||
The Mac OS X 10.6.7 Update for iMac is recommended for all iMac (Mid 2011) iMac models. Requires Mac OS X v10.6.7. | ||
This update improves performance with and stability for Thunderbolt. Requires the Mac OS X 10.6.7 Update for iMac (Early 2011). | ||
This firmware update addresses an issue that in rare cases may cause an iMac to stop responding during startup or waking from sleep. Requires Mac OS X v10.6.7 or OS X 10.7. | ||
iMac (Mid 2010) | This update enables Lion Recovery from an Internet connection on iMac (Mid 2010) models. | |
This update addresses a hard drive issue that may prevent some iMac (Mid 2010) computers from starting up properly. Requires Mac OS X v10.6.7. | ||
Contains stability and performance fixes for graphics applications and games. Requires Mac OS X v10.6.4. | ||
This addresses an issue with iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010) display brightness. Requires Mac OS X v10.6.4 Update for iMac (Mid 2010). | ||
Requires Mac OS X v10.6.3 and adds support for Magic Trackpad. | ||
iMac (Late 2009) | This update addresses Target Display Mode compatibility issues on iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) computers. Requires Mac OS X v10.6.3 or later, and the 27-inch iMac EFI Firmware Update 1.0. | |
Contains stability and performance fixes for graphics applications and games. Requires Mac OS X v10.6.4. | ||
Requires Mac OS X v10.6.3 or later. | ||
This updates the display firmware on 27-inch iMac computers to address issues that may cause intermittent display flickering. | ||
This update is for iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) and iMac (27-inch, Quad Core, Late 2009) computers with ATI Radeon HD 4670 and ATI Radeon HD 4850 video cards running Mac OS X v10.6.2 | ||
iMac (Early 2009) | This update is for all 20-inch and 24-inch Early 2009 iMac computers. | |
This update requires you to install the iMac EFI Firmware 1.4 update first. | ||
iMac (Early 2008) | iMac (early 2008) ATI Radeon HD Graphics Firmware Update 1.0.1 | This update is for specific iMac computers with an ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro or ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT graphics card installed, running Mac OS X 10.5.2 or later. |
iMac (Mid 2007) | This update is for 20-inch and 24-inch Mid 2007 iMac computers with the ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO graphics running Mac OS X v10.4.10 with or later iMac Software Update 1.2.1 (Tiger) or Mac OS X v10.5 with iMac Software Update 1.3 (Leopard) installed. | |
iMac (Late 2006) | The Firmware Restoration CD 1.3 can be used to correct an interrupted or unsuccessful firmware update installation. You should download and burn this disc before attempting the installation. If your computer is already in this state, you’ll need to download the software and create the CD on another Macintosh computer. This CD can be created on both PowerPC- and Intel-based Macintosh computers. | |
iMac (Mid 2006) | The Firmware Restoration CD 1.3 can be used to correct an interrupted or unsuccessful firmware update installation. You should download and burn this disc before attempting the installation. If your computer is already in this state, you’ll need to download the software and create the CD on another Macintosh computer. This CD can be created on both PowerPC- and Intel-based Macintosh computers. | |
iMac (Early 2006) | The Firmware Restoration CD 1.3 can be used to correct an interrupted or unsuccessful firmware update installation. You should download and burn this disc before attempting the installation. If your computer is already in this state, you’ll need to download the software and create the CD on another Macintosh computer. This CD can be created on both PowerPC- and Intel-based Macintosh computers. |